The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-25
CHAPTER XIV.

It was not till Just upon midnight that Gilbert
and Mars returned to Castle House. Great had
been their difficulty in getting out of Black
Creek. When they left the blockhouse night
had begun to fall in the valley of the St. John g
md beneath the trees of the lagoon the darkness
was complete
Mars took the boat back among the shoals and
isets, guided by a OF instinct, without which
ne would never have reached the river. Twenty
times and more had he to stop before barrier
ne could not pass. and return by the way he had
come in search Of n practicable channel. He had
to light resinous pine knots, and stick them in
The bow of the boat. so as 20 throw some light
on his course. The difficulty greatest where
he had to find the only mouth by which the
waters joined the St Johns. The gap in the
reeds by which they had entered few hours be-
fore proved unacceptable; but luckily the tide
was ebbng, and the boat foated ont with the
stream. Three hours afterwards they were at
Candles Bay.
At Castle House neither James Burbank nor
his people had gone TO bed. They were waiting
an xiously for their long -delayed return Gilbert
and Mars came back every night, why had they
not come now7 Had they found clewl
At last they arrived, and. as they entered, all
in the room rushed toward them.
well, GILBERT" said James Burbank.
Father, Alice was not mistaken. It was
Texar who carried off my sister and zermah."
you have the proofp
'Readp'
And Gilbert held out the scrap of paper with
the few words in the half breeds writing.
YES" continued he. doubt is no longer
possible. It was the Spaniard! And he took
or caused to be taken his two victims to the
blockhouse at Black Creek. There they have
been living isolated from all A poor slave to
whom Zermah had trusted this paper. that it
might reach Castle House, and from whom she
doubtless learnt that Texar was taking them to
Carneral Island. has paid with his life for his
devotion. We found him dying, stabbed by
Texar, and now be is dead But if by and Ter
nah are not at Black Creek we know at least
where they have gone. They are in the Ever
glades, and there we must find them. To
morrow we must start"
1--WE are ready, Gilbert"
''Then tomorrow let IL be-"
Hope had returned There would now be no
fruitless endeavors. Mrs. Burbank, being told
Of what had happened. began to revive; and she
had strength enough to rise from her bed and
kneel and thank heaven.
According to Zermah, it was Texar in person
who had been in command at the capture at
Marine Creek. He it really whom Alice
had seed. But how could this be reconciled
with the Spaniard's alibil How could he have
been Federal prisoner at the time the crime
was committed Evidently the alibi false
like the others. But how could it be explsined2
What was the secret of Texar's ubiquty2
It mattered little after all 1t had now been
ascertained that the half breed and child mad
been taken first to the blockhouse at Black
creek. and that they had now gone to Carneral
island. There they must seek for them; there
they must take Texar by surprise. This time
nothing must hinder them from visiting him
with the just punishment of his crimes which he
had SO long deserved.
And there was not day to lose. From Camd
less bay the Everglades the distances was
siderable. The voyage would take many days
Fortunately the expedition had been organized
carefully, and was ready.
Carneral Island was shown by the maps to DE
on Lake Okee-cho bee.
The Everglades a marshy region border
Ing on Lake Oke cho -bee little below the
twenty seventh parallel in the southern part of'
Florida. From Jacksonville to the lake was
about four hundred miles. And it was a rarely
visited district; in fact. at this epoch. it was
almost unknown.
If the St Johns had been navigable to its
source the journey would not have been diff
suit one, but there every chance that they
would only be able to sail up it for one hundred
and seven miles; that is, to Lake. George Be-
yond that the road would be cho1ed with islands
and shoals, the channel might even sometimes
o. ebb tide be dry, and a heavily laden boat
would under any circumstances fnd it difficult
20 70 I,aLa WaSb h
ington. in about the twenty-eighth degree of lat
itude the end would be near. But it was only
wise to prepare for journey of two hundred
and fifty miles across an almost deserted region,
where there were no means of transport and no
likelihood of provision.
On the Goth of March the expedition mustered
at the landing place. James Burbank and his
son had said good bye to Mrs. Burbank. who was
not able to leave her room. Mr.. StannarG and
his daughter and the assistant overseers were
there. and Pyg had come to bid farewell to Mr..
Perry, for whom he, strange to say. had great
regard. He remembered the lessons he had re-
ceiyed to the Inconvenience Of a liberty for
which he was not ready.
The expedition consisted of James Burbank
and his brothern-law, now cured of his wound,
his son, Mr.. Perry, the overseer. Mars, and a
dozen negroes chosen from the most devoted of
those on the estate-in all, seventeen. Mars
knew enough of the st. Johns to serve as pilot
below we'll above Lake George The
blacks were all experienced boatmen, and, when
the current or the wind failed, could handle the
oars to good purpose.
The boat. one of the largest on the plantation
would be worked under sail whenever the wind
was favorable. She carried arms and ammuni-
ton sufficient for James Burbank, and his COM
panions to fear nothing from either the Semi.
mole bands or Texars companions.
Gilbert embraced Alice. and James Burbank
casped her to his arms as if she were already
his daughter.
'Father-Gilbert," she said, bring back to
US little Dyl Bring me back my sister,"
Eyes. dearest Alice. yes! we will bring her
back. May heaven protect u.s."
Mrs. Stannard. and Alice and the assistant
overseers, and Pyg remained at the landing
nj till the boat nur Thav si0palad fboir